About the Client
The VA Electronic Health Record Modernization-Integration Office (EHRM-IO) is a department within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) responsible for overseeing the modernization and integration of the VA's electronic health record system. The VA EHRM-IO was tasked with the implementation of a new EHR system across all 170-plus VAMCs and their attached Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), which totals approximately 2,000 VA health care centers worldwide. The challenge was to ensure that all end-user devices (EUDs) were deployed and integrated with the new EHR system within a tight schedule and budget, while maintaining compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
Solution and Outcomes
Varada provided budgeting, logistics, deployment, and training services to support the EHRM-IO IR program. The team used PMBOK for project and program management, MS Project server to track project tasks, MS SharePoint for collaboration and document management, and MS Office Suite and MS Teams for virtual meetings and deployment collaboration. The team also ensured compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations, GSA regulations, and the GSA IT acquisition process, as well as with all federal privacy act rules and regulations, including HIPAA.
Despite challenges caused by Congressional scrutiny and the VA’s reaction to changing needs, Varada maintained total integration with all work streams to execute all EUD deployments and ensure compliance on all levels. The team performed full life cycle program management and assisted with acquisition and procurement support services. The project was executed on schedule or ahead of schedule, and all end-user EHR interfaces were deployed, including the 724 Downtime Viewer (DTV), iAccess, display boards, DigiTrax blood bank printers, touch screens, and users’ personal computers.
Tools and Compliance
Varada ensured compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations, Government Services Agency regulations, and the GSA IT acquisition process, as well as with all federal privacy act rules and regulations, including HIPAA. The team used PMBOK for project and program management, MS Project server for task tracking, MS SharePoint for collaboration and document management, and MS Office Suite and MS Teams for virtual meetings and deployment collaboration.
